Emergency Electrician On Sparking Electrical Outlets

 According to a Myrtle Beach emergency electrician, one of the common emergencies their assistance is called for is when homeowners notice sparks coming out of their electrical outlets. And most often, this can be due to a short circuit, old and worn out electrical outlets or exposure of the outlet to water.

Sparks coming out of an electrical outlet is not always an indication that something is wrong with the outlet. It should not always be a cause for panic. There is a normal spark that also happens in electrical outlets.

What is a normal spark in an electrical outlet?

If you see a brief and small spark in the outlet when you plug in an appliance, you do not have to worry and immediately call your emergency electrician Myrtle Beach. This spark is normal and can be compared to static electricity. This happens every once in a while because of the sudden diversion of power from the available circuits in your home to the outlet and to the appliance that you have plugged in.

You should know that electricity flows quickly and is always fast moving to easily flow through the circuits of residential homes and back to the main grid. This fast-moving phase makes it difficult for outside elements to break and interrupt the cycle. As a result, there is a quick flow of electricity and you are able to use your blow dryer or coffee maker the minute you plug them in.

Because electricity is hot and it flows quickly, the sudden diversion of its path as a result of plugging an appliance to an outlet sometimes causes a brief spark. This is what many homeowners often notice occasionally. But if you notice bigger and more frequent sparks coming out from your electrical outlet, you could be facing a more serious problem. Thus, you will need to hire a professional.

Why do electrical outlets spark?

As mentioned above, there are 3 general reasons for an electrical outlet to spark. It can be due to short circuit, old and worn out electrical outlets or exposure of the outlet to water.

• Short circuits – Short circuits happen when electrons leap into the wrong area, particularly an exposed wire, as a result of the quick phase of the electricity. Wires become exposed due to a lot of reasons including old age and wear and tear. Another reason could be too much heat built up in the outlet has caused the surrounding insulation of the wires to melt; thus, leaving the wires exposed and vulnerable to receive stray electrons from the quick and sudden change of direction of the electricity from the circuit to the outlet.

• Old and worn out electrical outlets – Similarly with other things, an electrical outlet wears out after some time, especially if you use it several times during the day. An old and worn out electrical outlet often has loose wire connections, which is what causes the sparks in the outlet. If you notice signs of old age in your electrical outlets or if you notice they are wearing out, you will have to hire an electrical contractor to replace them with new ones.

• Exposure of the outlet to water – Obviously, water and electricity do not mix and when this happens, an electrical spark can occur. Depending on the size and severity of the spark, it can quickly lead to causing an electrical fire. To prevent this from happening, you should consider replacing your outlets with a ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. This is a special outlet that automatically shuts down the circuit when it detects a sudden change in the electrical flow to prevent sparking and starting an electrical fire as well.

For more information on sparking electrical outlets, call MB Electrician Pros now and speak with their emergency electrician.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Your Guide To Finding A Qualified Emergency Electrician

 Every homeowner should work with a qualified emergency electrician. The primary reason for this is that electrical accidents are inevitable and you would not want to be caught in this situation without a professional to call and depend upon to help you resolve the problem. Postponing the necessary repairs and wait for when an electrical engineer is available to assist you will only result in bigger damages and more costly problems. Thus, it will save you time and money if the electrician you are working with offers emergency electrical repairs.

Many electricians in Myrtle Beach now offer emergency service and you want an electrician who is suitable to your needs. Plus, you want to ensure that the emergency electrician you are considering is highly competent and well skilled.

The electrician you should hire should have the following:

• An updated state license
• At least two years of experience working in the industry
• Certifications noting that he has passed a standardized test
• Knowledge of the National Electric Code and any state modifications
• Qualification or master’s license to plan, design, install and maintain an electrical system
• Updated worker’s compensation and liability insurance

 Choosing the right emergency electrician in Myrtle Beach

Different electricians may have different areas of expertise. Some focus on new construction, while others work solely on commercial establishments. There are others who are licensed to provide minor electrical repairs but are not qualified to work on a whole electrical system upgrade.

The electrician that you are considering working with should know about essential wiring strategies to help you organize all your wiring should you decide to have a home renovation or electrical system upgrade. In addition to this, he should also be able to conduct thorough electrical system inspection to identify old and worn out electrical outlets, circuit breakers and panels.

Be sure to spend time checking the electrician’s references and looking for online reviews and feedbacks to help you determine whether or not the electrician matches your needs. This will help you assess the electrician’s work quality and performance. Keep in mind that electrical upgrades and repairs are highly dangerous and may put you and your family’s safety if not done properly. For this reason, you need to be sure you are hiring a qualified professional.

You can usually find a qualified electrician in Myrtle Beach by doing a quick search online. You can also ask for recommendations and referrals from your friends and family. Another strategy you can try is to ask your utility provider for qualified electricians in your area that offers emergency electrical services.

Working with an emergency electrician in Myrtle Beach

Once you have found a professional you can work with, you will need to work with him to maintain your electrical system. Have the electrician come to your house for an initial inspection to identify the areas that need repair, replacements or upgrades. Work out a plan together with your electrician on how to go about the necessary repairs and upgrades.

You can also ask for recommendations and professional advice on how to properly maintain and take care of your electrical system. And most importantly, you should be able to contact your electrician anytime you may need his assistance, especially during emergency situations. Having a strong working relationship with your electrician will help both of you in maintaining your electrical system in tip top shape.

Looking for a trustworthy and highly skilled emergency electrician to work with? Call MB Electrician Pros now and inquire about their services.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Easy Ways To Save Electricity

 This time of year our electric bill seems to be rising as we are warming our homes.  During peak times such as cold winter or warm summers, the demand for electricity will increase and so will the resulting utility bill.  Electricians said that the best way to lower your bill is to cut back on how you use electrical power.  This can be done without sacrificing your current lifestyle.  It is just a matter of paying attention to a few details and the results will add up.

Tip 1 – Kill Phantom Power

How many of the electrical devices in your home stay plugged in when not in use?  Look for television sets that are in extra bedrooms or areas not frequently used and are still plugged in. Older TV sets use electric power to keep the cathode ray tube in operation so the set will come on right away without having to “warm up.”  Battery chargers, computers and other electronic devices still use small amounts of electricity even when they are not in use.

Tip 2 –  Use LED’s

As you have read in the news, compact fluorescent lights are replacing the incandescent light bulb.  Despite the fact that the new light bulbs are more expensive that a traditional bulb, because they last a lot longer and use less electrical power, you will save money over time.

Tip 3 – Use Electricity in Off Peak Hours

The prime time for electricity use is between 7 am and 11 pm.  The cost of utility goes down during the other eight hours of the day.  One great way to take advantage of these off-peak hours is to replace your water tank with one that is a time-of-use system that will heat the water during the low period. Another idea would be to use energy thermal storage units.  This technology releases the heat that builds up during the inexpensive time of day and is stored in ceramic bricks for use during peak times. You can set the unit to shut off power during peak hours and use the reserve.

Tip 4 – Take a Look At Changing Your Tap Washers

One drain could be leaking hot water taps.  These leaks cause the hot water tank to keep heating the water and this can add up to hundreds of dollars wasted on utility bills each year.  Change out corroded tap washers or call your local plumber and have them checked.

Tip 5 – Install Motion-Brightening Lights

A motion light will stay off until something moves that sets off its motion detector.  If you want your home lit to deter unwanted guests, you will want to consider a exterior light system that has a very low glow that comes on at dusk and then will switch to bright when motion is detected.  This keeps the lighting on low power consumption while still maintaining the security of your home. Hire an electrician Myrtle Beach if you need help with its installation.

Tip 6 – Cold water washing

Yes, mom always said to use hot water to get your clothes clean, but mom did not have the advantage of today’s detergents that work just as well in cold water.  Turn off the hot water inlet to your washer and enjoy the savings.

Tip 7 – Save electricity with solar dryers

I love this tip! Dryers use a lot of electrical power.  Hang your clothes on an old fashion clothes line and they will smell fresh without a dryer sheet and you will save money.  Don’t have time? Consider doing part of your laundry such as towels and sheets using your solar dryer.

Tip 8 – Check for electricity leaks – Caulk

If your home is over twenty years old you probably have dozens of small leaks that are caused by wood shrinkage and holes that were inadequately sealed. When you caulk around windows, door frames and other places where leaks occur you will save hundreds of dollars in heating and air conditioning costs.

Tip 9 – Solar Powered Lights

If you have small children or older adults in your home I am sure that you have night lights in hallways and bathrooms.  These are great for lighting the way for those unexpected needs during the night. Consider using low-voltage LED lighting that is charged during the day with solar energy.  This type of light is great for under the kitchen cabinets and over counts in the bathroom because they do not need a power source and are a source of free lighting.

Tip 10 –  Consider a Hot Water Inlet Tank

There is a new trend in home building has a water inlet tank installed that goes between the water source and the hot water tank.  One of the highest uses of electrical power is warming your water for the shower.  By letting the water sit in a holding tank that uses solar energy to warm the water before it goes into your hot water tank you are cutting down on the time and cost of heating cold water to warm for showering.  By bring the water temperature up 20 – 30 degrees from the ground water, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Do you want to save electricity? Give MB Electrician Pros a call to day for a complete energy audit of your home.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com

Top Services From Your Local Electrical Contractor

 There are different services that your local electrician can provide you with – from electrical upgrades or rewiring to an emergency electrical situation. A professional electrician is one of the contractors that you will be working with throughout your journey as a homeowner. As a homeowner, it helps if know the different services and situations when you need an electrician’s assistance.

Services offered by Local Electricians

Replacing outlets with tamper-resistant ones

This type of outlet is also safe for use by families and households with small children and babies. Replacing your old outlets with this type of outlet will surely increase safety inside the house. It will prevent you and all the members of your family from accidental shocks when plugging in appliances and electronic gadgets.

What make these outlets safer are the shutters that are placed in each opening. These shutters should be pressed or pushed at the same time with the same pressure for the electricity to flow. This only happens when you insert a plug correctly. This is indeed a huge advantage over plastic outlet inserts or covers which can be easily peeled off, even by small hands.

Wire damage from drilling holes in the wall

Sometimes, when redecorating a room in the house, you accidentally damage your electrical wiring behind your wall when you drill a hole. Whether you want to hang pictures or paintings on the wall or add another curtain rod, drilling on the wall without the proper preparations may cause you to hit or damage a wire. Should this happen, you need to call in your electrician Myrtle Beach at once. Do not attempt to fix the problem on your own as you might only end up causing more damage or harming yourself.

However, there are some things you can do to so you can safely drill a hole into your wall without hitting or damaging any of the wiring behind it. Experts suggest using a stud finder and aiming your drill at the center of the stud. To be sure that you are hitting the stud and not an open space where a wire might be, use a small tipped screw driver.

Hanging a ceiling fan

Although this might seem easy and simple to many homeowners, there are certain requirements that should be completed when hanging a ceiling fan. An electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach would know what these requirements are and how best to comply with them.

These requirements may include having a ceiling fan rated brace and box and properly weighing the blades while being attached to the motor. Aside from this, specific wiring leads should also be properly connected to the appropriate power leads. Failure to do so and your ceiling fan will not function properly.

Remember that improper installation of the ceiling fan will put you and your family’s safety at high risk. Aside from electrical problems, the ceiling fan might fall on you if it is not properly and securely installed. Always have an experienced electrician, such as MB Electrician Pros, install your ceiling fan to ensure safety and security.

Upgrading your kitchen lights

As part of your kitchen renovation, you might want to add more recessed lighting or install pendant lights with dimmer switches for more dramatic effect on your kitchen. Another lighting improvement you might want to add to your kitchen is under and above cabinet lighting which helps indirectly light your kitchen. As a result you do not have to leave lots of lights in the kitchen overnight. No matter what your purpose is, always work with a professional electrician whenever doing a lighting upgrade.

A professional electrician has the right tools and skills to efficiently install your preferred lighting in your kitchen. They are also knowledgeable of the best ways to efficiently and effectively install lighting throughout your home.

Always ensure you are working with a professional electrical contractor. Ask for a copy of their licenses, certifications, and insurance. Make sure all these are updated and recent copies. These are extremely important to ensure you and your family’s safety.

For more information on the best electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach, call MB Electrician Pros now.

MB Electrician Pros
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-353-6345
electriciansmyrtlebeach.com